Semantic Problems ofIidioms Interpreting
In order to correctly make English Russian translation of a book, newspaper article or any type of creating writing one shall know how to translate correctly from English to Russian idiomatic expressions.
Wewill now take a close look at some features ofphrasal expressions. An vital point which has to be stressed is that idiomatic expressions are not only colloquial words, as many people believe. They may appear in formal style and in slang. They may appear in poetry or in the masterpieces of Dickens and the Bible.
Idioms are used widely, that is why an experienced Russian translator is simply obliged to master certain techniques for translation of idioms from English to Russian, and for their translation from Russian to English.
What, then, is an idiomatic expression? We may say that an idiomatic expression is a number of words which, if found together, mean something unique from the individual words of the idiom when they are found alone. The way in which the expressions are put together is often weird, illogical or even grammatically wrong. These are the individual properties of some idioms. Other idioms are absolutely regular and reasonable in their grammar and vocabulary. Because of the individual properties of certains idiomatic expressions, we have to learn the idiom as a whole and we sometimes fail to change any part of it (except perhaps, only the tense of the verb).
English language is very rich in idiomatic expressions. In fact, it is difficult to speak or write English language without using idiomatic expressions. An English native speaker is very often not aware that he is using an idiom; maybe he does not even realize that an idiom which he applies is grammatically wrong. A non-native learner makes the correct use of idiomatic English one of his main goals, and the fact that some idioms are illogical or grammatically incorrect causes him trouble. Only careful study and exact learning will help.
It is impossible to be explained why a particular idiom has developed an unusual arrangement or choice of words. The idiom has been fixed by long usage as is sometimes seen from the vocabulary.
Now, when you know what is an idiom you are ready to learn about methods for English-Russian Translation. English Russian translation is a skill hard to master but with due diligence anyone can do it.